Bahama Mama is now going to give you some tips on the most oft-asked question she gets....."what do I pack to wear?", or, "I just can't afford a new wardrobe for this trip!"
We'll start with the ladies first.
This is a one-week cruise. There are two "formal" nights. Don't let that throw you. We'll get into the formal nights in a subsequent post.
There are two things to note: One, don't overpack! Two, you live in shorts and tops every day! We're going into the very warm tropics, starting in the Miami port. You can be dressed very informally in the terminal waiting to board ship.
So....bring a couple of tops, plus an appropriate tank top or two which are great for the very warm islands, a couple of shorts or shorts suits. One pair of informal slacks, white is great to mix and match with your tops. Perhaps a light-weight pants suit. There are church services and Mass on Sunday morning if you wish to attend.
Also: comfortable walking shoes, sneakers, sandals or thongs. Two pairs will do. A groovy panama or straw sun hat is a must. Perhaps a light sweater or windbreaker. Haven't our mothers always chided us to bring a sweater? "You might get cold, you might get cold!". I've always brought a windbreaker or sweater with me on previous Caribbean cruises, never wore one yet.
A robe, a night gown or pjs, a swim suit and cover-up, cosmetics and other personal items, and costume jewelry to suit your taste. There is a safe in each cabin. Don't forget your sun glasses!
Add this all up, and you'll actually find there isn't all that much you have to pack.
There's the usual little bottles of shampoo, conditioner etc. in each cabin, a la motels. I suggest you bring a plastic container of your own shampoo with you or buy it in the ship's shop.
All cruise lines issue free, roomy canvas tote bags with their logos on to each passenger right off the bat. Guys and gals alike use them. You'll see these bags on the arms of passengers from our ship and other ships in port while shopping and frolic-ing on the islands. Everyone but everyone uses them all day, on shore and around the ship. They hold all those little things, your room keys, your identification passes for getting off and on in port, your schedule of daily shipboard activities, a small camera, your ciggies, whatever. So, I only bring one or two dressier lightweight purses (one, a nice black straw, cloth is also good) for dinner time and the shows, and that's it.
I would also suggest packing a roomy beach bag for use at our proposed Freeper Beach Party on Grand Cayman's beautiful Seven Mile Beach. Towels are furnished by the ship.
There's a gym on ship, so if you're into exercise things, bring what you need for that. Each cabin has a hairdryer.
Most of these things you probably have in your closet, so a big buying spree just ain't necessary. You don't have to put on the dog on a cruise, just be tasteful. There are laundromats with ironing boards on ship, also a quick dry cleaning service. You'd be surprised how clean your clothes stay on the well-scrubbed ship, plus we're not exactly going into any "industrial" areas on the islands, heheh.
Little items you may forget? No problem. There's a variety shop on board for film, aspirins, the latest paperback books, almost anything you need in a pinch. There's also men's and women's apparel shops on board. Or you can buy whatever you need on shore.
Any questions, post 'em here or freepmail me at MinuteGal.
My next fashion tip commentary will be for the gents, then one for the often-dreaded "formal nights" It's no sweat, trust me. Stay tuned.
Bahama Mama
Comfortable walking and beach-type shoes, swim suit and cover-up of some kind, plus your personal gear. Some of the tips posted above pertain to men as well as the ladies. Again, don't overpack!
A sun hat plus a snug-fitting golf or baseball-type hat are a must. The ship's deck is often very windy. If I had a penny for every loose-fitting hat blown overboard on these cruises, I'd be a billionaire.
We are sailing into the sunny tropics, so don't be shy on color. You can dig that cool Hawaiian shirt out of the back of the closet, it will fit right into the ambience. Dress aboard ship is casual, informal and fun, so don't agonize the wardrobe!
Bahama Mama
I've also been scouting around for airfares. So far, Southwest seems to have the best fares, from Utah at least. $299 round trip from SLC to Miami (actually Hollywood.)